A container assembly for fermenting food and a related method

ABSTRACT

A container assembly ( 10 ) for fermenting food ( 50 ). The container assembly ( 10 ) includes: a container ( 12 ); a pusher ( 18 ); and a lid ( 32 ). The container ( 12 ) has an upper open end ( 16 ), which communicates with an internal volume for receipt of food ( 50 ) and fermenting liquid ( 52 ). The pusher ( 18 ) is at least partially insertable through the opening ( 16 ) and has a pushing surface ( 24 ) protruding into the internal volume for limiting the maximum height of the food ( 50 ) in the internal volume. The lid ( 32 ) for the opening has a one way valve ( 40 ) therein adapted to allow fluid communication from the internal volume to atmosphere and prevent fluid communication from atmosphere to the internal volume.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container assembly for fermenting food and a related method.

The present invention has been developed for household use in fermenting or pickling food such as vegetables (such as potatoes and cabbage), meats, fruits, fish, grains, nuts and olives and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, the invention is not restricted to this particular use and also suitable for creates starters for milk, cream, yoghurt, butter and sourdough bread, batters, ginger bugs, miso paste, natto, condiments (such as mustard), fish sauce, tomato sauce, cheese and soft drinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to ferment food in glass jars that have a sealable lid. The lid being modified to allow an air lock valve to be attached. Generally speaking, fermenting in such glass jars is inconvenient, messy, difficult and often leads to food spoiling during the fermentation process.

It is important that the food being fermented, and the surrounding fermenting liquid, be isolated from the external environment in order to prevent outside air, and dust airborne bacteria, establishing itself within the food. If this occurs, mould growth (both benign and potentially poisonous) can occur. Creating and maintaining an airtight sealed container is difficult as the fermenting process generates gases which cause a build-up of pressure inside the jar. If the gas is unable to escape, the seals between the container and its lid can blow out, causing leakage of the contents and, in extreme cases, shattering of the glass jar. The use of one way airlock valves to vent the gases is known, primarily those suitable for home brewing of wine and other alcoholic beverages. The disadvantages of using such valves is they are excessively large relative to the size of most jars used for fermenting, they can be difficult to operate and they make storage and handling of the jars difficult.

The quality and taste of food being fermented can be diminished if they are are not isolated from light during fermentation. Known methods of achieving this are to wrap the jar in fabric material or placing it in a light free environment for the duration of the fermentation process. The disadvantages of these approaches is that the former is often not particularly effective at blocking light transmission and the latter restricts where in a household the fermenting jars may be stored.

It is also important during fermentation that the container is accurately filled with food, brine and the one way valve with water. If incorrect levels are used, leakage can occur, the quality of the food can be diminished and the one way valve may not correctly function. The disadvantage of existing containers is overfilling is a common issue, often leading to leakage and mess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a container assembly for fermenting food, the container assembly including:

a container having an upper open end communicating with an internal volume for receipt of food and fermenting liquid;

a pusher at least partially insertable through the opening and having a pushing surface protruding into the internal volume for limiting the maximum height of the food in the internal volume; and a lid for the opening with a one way valve therein adapted to allow fluid communication from the internal volume to atmosphere and prevent fluid communication from atmosphere to the internal volume.

The one way valve is preferably within the external boundary of the lid. The one way valve is preferably substantially within the external boundary of the pusher.

The pusher surface preferably includes one or more openings therein for passage of the fermenting liquid, thereby allowing the fermenting liquid to be filled to above the maximum height of the food in the internal volume. The pusher preferably includes a maximum liquid level indicator therein.

The container assembly preferably includes a first sealing gasket between the exterior of the pusher and the interior of the upper open end.

The lid preferably releasably engages with the container with the pusher sandwiched therebetween. The lid preferably releasably engages with the container via a bayonet type connection. The container assembly preferably includes a second sealing gasket between the exterior of the container and the interior of the lid.

The one way valve preferably includes an upwardly facing reservoir around an opening and a downwardly facing reservoir around the opening and within the upwardly facing reservoir. The downwardly facing reservoir is preferably part of a cap that is releasably engageable with the lid. The cap preferably includes one or more openings therein through which fluid can be added to the upwardly facing reservoir.

The container preferably includes a stainless steel external base. The container is preferably transparent. The container assembly preferably includes a removable opaque outer sheath, most preferably formed from silicon rubber.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for fermenting food, the method including the steps of:

adding food to an internal volume of a container;

at least partially inserting a pusher into the internal volume to limit the maximum height of the food in the internal volume;

adding fermenting liquid to the internal volume to a height above the maximum height of the food in the internal volume; and

closing the internal volume with a lid having a one way valve therein adapted to allow fluid communication from the internal volume to atmosphere and prevent fluid communication from atmosphere to the internal volume, whereby gases generated by the fermenting process can escape the internal volume without causing pressurisation of the container.

The step of adding the fermenting liquid preferably includes passing the fermenting liquid through one or more openings in the pusher.

The method preferably includes the step of securing the pusher to the container using the lid.

The method preferably includes the step adding a removable opaque sheath to the exterior of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of a container assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a-3 h are perspective and cross sectional views which sequentially show the steps involved in fermentation using the container assembly shown in FIG. 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a container assembly 10 for fermenting food. The container assembly 10 includes a generally cylindrical glass container 12 having an internal volume of approximately 0.75 liters. Other embodiments of container assembly (not shown) have an internal volume of 1.5 liters and 3.0 liters. The base of the container 12 is (optionally) covered by a stainless steel part 14 to improve its strength and shatter resistance. The container 12 has an upper opening defined by a lip 16.

The container assembly 10 includes a plastic pusher 18. The pusher 18 is generally cylindrically in shape and has a base 20 with holes 22 therein. The underside 24 of the base 20 defines a pushing surface. The exterior of the pusher 18 includes a rubber peripheral flange 26 which serves to locate an annular silicone gasket 28. The gasket 28 seals the pusher 18 against the lip 16 of the container 12. The pusher 18 also includes a level indicator, in the form of an internal shoulder 30, the purpose of which will be explained below. In another embodiment (not shown), the exterior of the pusher 18 above the flange 26 includes dimples to aid gripping.

The container assembly 10 also includes a lid 32 formed from a plastic internal part 34 with a stainless steel external part 36. Another annular silicon gasket 38 is provided around the exterior of the container 12 adjacent to the lip 16. The lid 32 engages with the container 12 by way of a bayonet style fitting 39 and seals against the gasket 38.

The inner part 34 of the lid 32 includes a one way valve 40, which is almost completely located within the interior of the pusher 18. The one way valve 40 includes an upwardly facing liquid reservoir 42 around a central opening 44. The valve 40 also includes a downwardly facing reservoir 46, which forms part of a cap 48. The cap 48 includes openings 50 therein. The upwardly facing reservoir 42 also includes a level indicator, in the form of an internal shoulder 52.

The use of the container assembly 10 in fermenting food will now be described with references to FIGS. 3 a to 3 h.

FIG. 3 a shows the empty container 12.

FIG. 3 b shows the container 12 after it has been filled with a food 50.

FIG. 3 c shows the container 12 after the introduction of the pusher 18 and specifically shows that the pushing surface 24 pushes downwardly against the upper extent of the food 50, thereby limiting the maximum height of the food 50 within the internal volume of the container 12.

FIG. 3 d shows the container and pusher of FIG. 3 c after the addition of fermenting liquid, in the form of brine 52, which is filled until it reaches the level indicated by the shoulder 30. The brine 52 is poured into the interior of the pusher 18 and flows into internal volume of the container 12 by passing through the openings 22.

FIG. 3 e shows the container and pusher of FIG. 3 d after the addition of the lid 32. Securing the lid 32 to the container 12 also serves to secure the pusher 18 to the container 12 by sandwiching it therebetween.

FIG. 3 f shows water 54 being admitted to the upwardly facing reservoir 42, until it reaches the level indicated by the shoulder 52.

FIG. 3 g shows the addition of the cap 48, with the downwardly facing reservoir 46 establishing a one way valve in conjunction with the water 54 in the upwardly facing reservoir 42. Gasses generated during the fermenting process are able to pass through the opening 44 and through the water 54 in the reservoir 42 before passing through the openings 50 to atmosphere. In this way, pressurisation of the internal volume of the container 12 is prevented. However, the water 54 in the upwardly facing reservoir 42 simultaneously provides a barrier to prevent air, and dust airborne bacteria, from entering the internal volume of the container 12.

FIG. 3 h shows the container assembly 10 after it is encased within a two part, opaque, silicone, flexible sheath 56, which serves to prevent light transmission into the internal volume of the container 12. The container assembly 10 shown in FIG. 3 h is ready for storage for the duration of the fermentation process.

The container assembly 10 has many advantages. Firstly, it is generally convenient, intuitive and easy to use. Secondly, the one way valve 40 in the lid 32 is easy to operate, and can have its water level supplemented if required by adding more water through the openings 50. The valve 40 provides an excellent barrier to isolate the food 50 and the fermenting liquid 52 from the external environment whilst still allowing venting of gases. In addition, as the majority of valve 40 is positioned within the pusher 18, it is unlikely to be damaged and it does not represent an external component which could make storage of the container assembly 10 difficult or inconvenient. Thirdly, the flexible sheath 56 is convenient and easy to apply and remove, whilst simultaneously providing excellent light isolation for the food 50 being fermented. Fourthly, the pusher surface 24 of the pusher 18, the liquid fill level 30 in the pusher 18, and the liquid fill level indicator 52 in the one way valve 40 made the container assembly 10 very easy to accurately fill in order to provide for correct operation and avoid food spoilage and spills. Leakage and spills are also avoided by the double seal/gasket used in the container assembly. The container assembly is also very easy to pick up and handle, with the 0.75 liter and 1.5 liter sizes also suitable for use as serving jars. The 0.75 liter and 1.5 liter sizes can also fit within a refrigerator, thus allowing the fermented food to be stored, refrigerated and served from the same container. The container assembly is also easy to clean.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 

1. A container assembly for fermenting food, the container assembly including: a container having an upper open end communicating with an internal volume for receipt of food and fermenting liquid; a pusher at least partially insertable through the opening and having a pushing surface protruding into the internal volume for limiting the maximum height of the food in the internal volume; and a lid for the opening with a one way valve therein adapted to allow fluid communication from the internal volume to atmosphere and prevent fluid communication from atmosphere to the internal volume.
 2. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one way valve is within the external boundary of the lid.
 3. The container assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one way valve is substantially within the external boundary of the pusher.
 4. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pusher surface includes one or more openings therein for passage of the fermenting liquid, thereby allowing the fermenting liquid to be filled to above the maximum height of the food in the internal volume.
 5. The container assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pusher includes a maximum liquid level indicator therein.
 6. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container assembly includes a first sealing gasket between the exterior of the pusher and the interior of the upper open end.
 7. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid releasably engages with the container with the pusher sandwiched therebetween.
 8. The container assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid releasably engages with the container via a bayonet type connection.
 9. The container assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the container assembly includes a second sealing gasket between the exterior of the container and the interior of the lid.
 10. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one way valve includes an upwardly facing reservoir around an opening and a downwardly facing reservoir around the opening and within the upwardly facing reservoir.
 11. The container assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the downwardly facing reservoir is part of a cap that is releasably engageable with the lid.
 12. The container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cap includes one or more openings therein through which fluid can be added to the upwardly facing reservoir.
 13. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container includes a stainless steel external base.
 14. The container assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is transparent.
 15. The container assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the container assembly includes a removable opaque outer sheath.
 16. The container assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the removable opaque outer sheath is formed from silicon rubber.
 17. A method for fermenting food, the method including the steps of: adding food to an internal volume of a container; at least partially inserting a pusher into the internal volume to limit the maximum height of the food in the internal volume; adding fermenting liquid to the internal volume to a height above the maximum height of the food in the internal volume; and closing the internal volume with a lid having a one way valve therein adapted to allow fluid communication from the internal volume to atmosphere and prevent fluid communication from atmosphere to the internal volume, whereby gases generated by the fermenting process can escape the internal volume without causing pressurisation of the container.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of adding the fermenting liquid includes passing the fermenting liquid through one or more openings in the pusher.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the method includes the step of securing the pusher to the container using the lid.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the method includes the step adding a removable opaque sheath to the exterior of the container. 